CyanogenMod adds ‘Pie’ controls to nightly builds

One of the distinguishing features of ParanoidAndroid’s custom ROM is the Pie controls – basically, Android 4.x’s navigation bar is hidden, and edge swipe gestures are used to bring up the navigation elements. This is done primarily to maximise screen space, but I use it on my Nexus 7 to make sure that I don’t accidentally hit the home button in the middle of games. It’s based on a little-known feature of the AOSP browser, called ‘Quick Controls’ that shun persistent UI controls in favour of edge swipes. ParanoidAndroid have put a lot of work into the Pie controls, and it shows, from the smoothness of the UI, to their neat implementation of the notification tray.

In a post on their Google+ page this morning, CyanogenMod have announced that following a complete re-write of the code, and extensive consultation with CM’s UI and UX team, Pie controls will be included in nightly builds as of today. I’m still waiting on the nightly for my One X to become available, but it’s definitely on the changelog.